Reconstruction of I-10 overpass at Avenida de Mesilla near completion; work underway along North Main Street

Avenida de Mesilla bridge replacement could be finished in September

Robin Zielinski Sun-NewsLa Calerita Construction workers Arturo Rodriguez, right, and Mundo Olivas, left, work on a portion of the Avenida de Mesilla/Interstate-10 bridge on Friday.

LAS CRUCES &GT;&GT; One Las Cruces road construction project is nearing completion, but another is still in its early stages.

Crews with La Calerita Construction, Inc., of Las Cruces remain busy on the fourth phase of five phases of work to replace the overpass at Interstate 10 and Avenida de Mesilla. Ryan Tafoya, project manager for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, said Friday substantial completion of the overpass is anticipated by mid September.

"The project is reaching completion," Tafoya said. "Currently, the contractor is putting the final touches on the project, which is finishing the painting of the bridge and placing the final course (of road surface) on the Interstate.

Robin Zielinski Sun-NewsTraffic travels under the Interstate-10 bridge on Friday at Avenida de Mesilla as construction continues.

"We should be opening up the westbound on-ramp (off of Avenida de Mesilla) around the first week of August."

That comes as good news for motorists who have had to navigate through the road work there.

"I'll be glad when it's finally done," said Las Crucen Ray Telles, who drives through the Avenida de Mesilla construction zone at least three times a week. "I go through there to visit family, who is sick, in La Mesa, and friends who live down by the river. Sometimes, it's seemed like it has taken forever to get it done. It's not that big an area, where they've done the work, but still, it's been hard to get through there sometimes."

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Raye Dyson said she frequently goes to Mesilla to dine and shop. While there are other routes she take to get there, she has stuck with Avenida de Mesilla and has learned to adapt to the work.

"It's been a little crazy going back and forth sometimes," Dyson said. "But I've had to teach myself to be a little more patient. I had to slow down, even though I really don't like to slow down. I've had to pay more attention to the road, which, honestly, I'm not really used to doing. But I guess it's all paid off. I haven't had any accidents, even though there's been a few times there could have been, if I hadn't been paying attention."

The $12 million project at Avenida de Mesilla and I-10 began last summer. Since then, the eastbound and westbound bridges on I-10 have been replaced. The on and off ramps have been reconfigured to a diamond interchange, with previous loop ramps being removed. Also, precast concrete panels with artwork have been installed along the inside of the bridge, on Avenida de Mesilla,

Better access to that area, to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), has been added. So have upgrades to city of Las Cruces gas, sewer and water lines along that portion of Avenida de Mesilla.

Work still to be done includes the activation of a new traffic signal light at Avenida de Mesilla and the eastbound entrance and exit ramps. The area will also be landscaped.

While the Avenida de Mesilla project is nearing completion, Tafoya said work along North Main Street is just beginning. He estimated 20 percent of that road work has been completed.

Crews with G. Sandoval Construction, the project contractor, are installing new utility lines, and will be rebuilding the roadway, upgrading sidewalks with ADA improvements, and installing new curbs, gutters and traffic signals. Parts of the roadway will be redesigned to include areas where city buses can pick up and drop off passengers.

"Currently the contractor remains working on the interior lanes and median," Tafoya said. "Traffic is flowing well and no crashes have happened in the construction zone. We will not be seeing a traffic switch until the end of August."

Traffic control devices have been installed throughout the work zone on North Main, and lane widths are restricted to 10 feet. Although there have been concerns from some businesses owners, their customers and motorists, access to all businesses remains open throughout the almost one-mile construction zone.

"It's been a little hard getting in and out sometimes," said Las Crucen Trish Harper, after buying pizza for her family at the Pizza Hut restaurant on North Main St. "I've had to learn that if I'm going to come here I've got to do that before the evening rush. I've adjusted, and it hasn't been too bad."

Motorists are reminded to seek alternate routes during peak hours and make adjustments for delays.

"I've just gotten used to using Alameda (Boulevard) instead, if I'm going to be driving through that part of the city," Diane Taylor said. "(It's) not too bad at all. I'm bearing with it."